GS Caltex CEO Huh Jin-soo has received the highest industry honor granted by the Trade Ministry, for his contributions to Korea’s energy sector, according to the company Friday.

During the ceremony commemorating the 51st Annual Trade Day, Huh was awarded the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in recognition of his efforts to provide a stable energy supply across the country and expand energy-related exports.

As the country’s No. 2 oil refiner, GS Caltex posted exports of $26.6 billion between July 2013 and June of this year by selling crude oil and petrochemicals to more than 50 nations in the world.

Huh, who took the helm a year ago, has shown his leadership by overseeing the production of high-value-added products, company officials said. He also invested in upgrading the refiner’s facilities despite an ongoing economic slowdown that has been weighing on the industry.

Overseas, the chief executive set about establishing branches in the United Kingdom, Singapore, India and China to expand the firm’s presence overseas and ramp up exports.

Most recently, the refiner has been exerting efforts to diversify its crude oil import channels in order to secure a more stable supply. Aside from the Middle East, it is now importing from Texas and Alaska in the United States.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)